When one shows restraint one exhibits self-control or self-discipline.

A scrupulous person takes great care to do everything in an extremely honest and fair manner.

Spontaneity is freedom to act when and how one wants to, often in an unpredictable or unplanned way.

Something that is statutory is created and controlled by rules and laws and hence is legally punishable if violated.

When you stifle someone’s creativity or inner drive you prevent it from being expressed.

When you subdue something, like an enemy or emotions, you defeat or bring them under control.

If you show temperance you act with self-restraint and so don’t do things in excess, and also stay away from drinking alcohol.

A feeling that is unbridled is enthusiastic and uncontrolled.

An action or deed is unconscionable if it is worthy of shame because its effects are more severe than is reasonable or acceptable.

Someone who is unrestrained is free to do as she pleases, not being controlled by anyone but herself, which can lead to excessive behavior.

Something that is volatile can change easily and vary widely.

A wanton action deliberately harms someone or damages something for no apparent or good reason.

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Noun

abandon

uh-BAN-duhn

Context

Walking barefoot in the rain seemed like an act of carefree abandon after studying in the library all day. With uncharacteristic abandon, Serena swung her sandals in her hand as she walked through puddles and allowed the rain to wash over her. Acting with such abandon was unlike her on a normal, working day, and she enjoyed the rare sense of freedom it brought.

Memory Hook

ABandOn Harry's parents didn't like it when he listened to his favorite loud band. They reasoned that when Harry's band was on, he was acting both literally with abandon, and henceforth with abandon, because they had instructed him not to do so.

Examples

Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.
— Brooke McEldowney

They would hit only 67 home runs as a team that year. But with Whitey Herzog pushing hard, they ran with wild abandon.
—Sports Illustrated

D.O.G. taught me a lesson that I think of daily: Engage in life with near abandon, do not dwell on yesterday or tomorrow, and most important, go ahead and chase that ball out into the road.
—Men's Health

Zurn might have been in terrible emotional pain — she made most of her drawings during hospital stays — but the feeling is more of happy abandon than of fear or depression.
—The New York Times

Word Ingredients

The idea here is that, when one acts with abandon, one is no longer personally in control, but one’s rational mind is towards or at the control of something else.

Word Theater

Flight of the Conchords Dancing with complete abandon.

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Word Constellation

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Related Words

arbitrary ·

ardor ·

decadent ·

exuberance ·

fanaticism+ ·

hyperbole ·

insouciance ·

profligate ·

rapturous ·

spontaneity+ ·

unbridled ·

unconscionable ·

unrestrained+ ·

volatile ·

wanton ·

comport ·

deportment ·

disclaimer+ ·

gingerly+ ·

hamper+ ·

irreproachable ·

moderation+ ·

politic ·

probity ·

propriety ·

punctilious ·

restraint+ ·

scrupulous ·

statutory ·

stifle+ ·

subdue+ ·

temperance+ ·

Similar sense

Opposite sense

Word Variants

abandon
v

→

leave behind

abandonment
n

→

exuberance; total surrender of personal constraints

The section lists important variants and alternate definitions of the headword. Knowing variants will often help you both remember and understand the word. Not all variants are listed - only the ones we think that are important for you to know.